The Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Label Structures 1-6
- Seminal Vesicle
- Vas Deferens
- Prostate
- Ejaculatory Duct
- Bladder
- Urethra
What is the function of the semineferous tubule?
Key for spermatogenesis
Describe the microstructure of the testes
What is a hydrocoele?
An accumulation of serous fluid within the tunica vaginalis of the testes
What is the function of Leydig cells and where are they found?
- Cells found in the interstitial tissue that surrounds semineferous tubules
- synthesise sex testosterone
What are sertoli cells and where are they found?
- cells essential for facilitating progression of germ cells to spermatazoa
- Found within seminepherous tubules
What is the main arterial supply of the testes?
Testicular artery that arises from the abdmonial aorta
Describe the venous drainage of the testes
- Panpiniform plexus surrounds the testes
- Splits into right and left testicular vein
- Right testicular vein drains direct to IVC
- Left testicular vein drains to left renal vein then to IVC
How does the panpiniform plexus cool the testicular blood?
Panpiniform plexus surrounds the testicular artery removing heat
Which testicle sits lower?
Usually the left
Where does testicular lymph drain to?
Para-aortic lymph nodes
Where does lymph of the scrotum drain to?
Inguinal lymph nodes
What is Bell-Clapper Deformity? What does this put a male at risk of?
- Where the tunica vaginalis is attached innapproptiately high resulting in the teticle being in a transverse orientation within the scrotum
- Allows the testes to spontaneously twist in spontaneously in the spermatic cord
What is the function of the gubernaculum?
An embryonic cord that connects the caudal end of th testis to the scrotum to guide the testes through the abdominal wall
Broadly speaking, what does the spermatic cord contain?
- 3 fascial layers
- 3 arteries
- 3 veins
- 3 nerves
- The Vas deferens
What are the 3 fascial layers of the spermatic cord?
- External Fascia
- Cremasteric Fascia
- Internal Fascia
What are the 3 arteries in the spermatic cord?
- Testicular artery
- Cremasteric artery
- Artery to the Vas
What are the 3 veins in the spermatic cord?
- Pampiniform plexus
- Cremasteric Vein
- Vein to Vas
What are the 3 nerves of the spermatic cord?
- Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
- Vas sympathetic innervation
- Iliolinguinal nerve
What are the different zones of the prostate gland?
- Transitional Zone (surrounding urethra)
- Peripheral zone
- Central zone
What is BPH, what zone of the prostate does it affect and how does this relate to its clinical symptoms?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- tends to affect transitional zone
- transitional zone surrounds urethra so enlargement will affect urination
In which zone of the prostate gland do prostate cancers usually affect, what is the clinical significance of this?
- Prostate cancers tend to affect peripheral zone
- May not affect urinary flow as not surrounding the urethra
- Masses can be palpated through the rectum
What are the 3 accessory glands of the male reproductive system and what do they secrete?
- Seminal Vesicles → Alkaline fluid, fructose, prostaglandins, clotting factor
- Prostate gland → Proteolytic enzymes
- Bulbourethral (Cowper’s gland) → mucus secretion with glycoproteins
What are the two tissue types of the penis?
- Corpus Cavernosum- a pair of tissues which is the main erectile tissue
- Corpus Spongiousum- through which the urtethra travels
Which branch of the autonomic nervous system controls vasodilation of the penile arterioles?
Parasympathetic stimulation
Which branch of the autonomic nervous system controls ending an erection?
Sympathetic Innervation
What is the tunica albuginea of the penis?
A fibrous white membrane that surrounds the corpus spongiousum and corpus cavernosum, holding the penis in the correct position
where does the penis take its blood supply from?
Internal pudenal vein and artery
What is a ‘fractured’ penis?
- Ruptured tunica albuginea
- Can be caused by ‘very vigorous’ sex
